‘Travelling for $1 a day!?’ Introducing rental vehicle relocation as a tourism practice

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to introduce and explore the concept of rental vehicle relocation (RVR) as a mode of transport and beyond for (drive) tourists. By situating RVR within the domain of drive tourism, we contextualise its emergence amidst current scholarly discourses. Methodologically, we adopt a dual-methods strategy that integrates autoethnographic and netnographic methods to collect material in the specific context of New Zealand. The findings shed light on the multifaceted role of RVR, highlighting its significance as a mode of transport, an attraction for travellers, and a unique tourist experience. Our research makes theoretical contributions towards establishing RVR in a distinct position within the tourism ecosystem. Furthermore, this research presents practical implications for RVR platforms and rental car providers at large to acknowledge, refine, and promote RVR services.